New Atlanticist

Sharp insights and bold ideas from across the Council

From climate change to the China challenge and the contest between democracy and dictatorship, the New Atlanticist is where top experts and policymakers at the Atlantic Council and beyond offer exclusive insight on the most pressing global challenges—and the US role in addressing them alongside allies and partners.

The Council’s flagship section features big ideas, groundbreaking research, lightning-fast expert reactions, in-depth analyses, and thought-provoking commentary to shape public policy.

How the New Atlantic Charter can save the free world

New Atlanticist Sep 4, 2025

Dispatches from Damascus: The state of Syria’s postwar transition nine months after Assad’s fall

On a recent trip to the Syrian capital, Atlantic Council experts took note of how far the country has come since the Assad regime’s fall and what still needs to happen to secure peace and prosperity.

New Atlanticist Aug 29, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

August saw a flurry of diplomatic activity to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As September nears, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what to expect next.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

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Fast Thinking

When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

Experts React

Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

Markup

Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

New Atlanticist

Jul 30, 2021

How the New Atlantic Charter can save the free world

By Daniel Fried, Ash Jain

To succeed, the Biden administration must bring on board other US allies and establish new institutions to turn these principles into action.

International Norms International Organizations

Fast Thinking

Jul 30, 2021

FAST THINKING: Will Facebook’s anti-extremism efforts actually work?

By Rose Jackson, Jared Holt

Following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, social-media platforms are under pressure to address the extremist content circulating on their sites. But what exactly should social media's role be in intervening against extremism?

Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2021

The US needs better tools to fight transnational repression. Here’s where to start.

By Gissou Nia

As autocrats reach beyond their borders to punish their opponents, the United States must meet the challenge by preparing effective, forward-thinking policy.

Human Rights International Organizations

Fast Thinking

Jul 26, 2021

FAST THINKING: Is the Iraq War over… again?

By Atlantic Council

As the US military formally transitions to an advisory role with Iraqi forces, what’s next for the fights against ISIS and Iran-backed militias? Will anything really change? Our Iraq experts weigh in.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2021

Why ‘human security’ matters for tomorrow’s conflicts

By Sarah Dawn Petrin

NATO leaders are finally focusing on human security, a major step toward a broader vision of crisis management.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Fast Thinking

Jul 21, 2021

FAST THINKING: Nord Stream 2 gets the green light

By Atlantic Council

How will the United States and Germany balance business needs with security? And what price will Kyiv be forced to pay? We drilled down with our experts for answers.

Energy & Environment Germany

Fast Thinking

Jul 21, 2021

FAST THINKING: Will quantum computing be the next frontier of competition with China?

By David Bray, William Jeffrey

On June 29, 2021, the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei unveiled “Zuchongzhi,” the fastest quantum computer in the world, which at fifty-six qubits is just a nose ahead of Google’s Sycamore quantum computer. But are we calling the race too soon? Will the United States and its allies catch up?

China Technology & Innovation

Fast Thinking

Jul 19, 2021

FAST THINKING: A turning point on Chinese hacking

By Atlantic Council

What does NATO’s buy-in mean for the world’s response to Chinese hacking? What tools do these allies have to fight back? Our experts messaged us (securely) with the answers.

Australia China

Fast Thinking

Jul 16, 2021

FAST THINKING: Biden’s China policy is coming into focus

By Atlantic Council

What do this week's moves on Xinjiang and Hong Kong signal about the Biden administration’s emerging China policy? Our experts on economic statecraft connect the dots.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2021

Why China’s digital currency threatens the country’s tech giants

By Jeremy Mark

China's drive to develop technologies fueled by data has given its corporate crackdown a more profound purpose: to expand the data sources available to the government.

China Digital Currencies

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